PLEASE DELETE: HE IS NORMAL AGAIN! lol My 10 month old is driving me crazy! HELP!

[cpaige]

Bug just turned 10 months old yesterday, and he is just being impossible. Right now it's either teething issues or a growth spurt, or both! I don't know, but I'm about to pull my hair out! He just woke up SCREAMING from a 20 minute nap. 20 minutes! He is not that happy baby and it's really making this Mommy and very unhappy Mommy! He is barely napping lately, therefore he is miserable. If I could record him at this second and let you all listen to it, you'd RUN! My ears are actually ringing from it as he gets this high pitched scream and uses it often when he's PO'd........ Any ideas?

[MariaT]

Did you try a little orajel just to see if it is his teeth?

If you hold him, does he calm down? My son went thru a really weird phase where he would take tiny naps 15-20 minutes then would wake up screaming. I figured out that if I held him, he slept longer thus waking up happier and being in a better mood for the rest of the day. And so I'd hold him on the couch and watch some TV while he napped. That would be my down time. Everyone told me I would be spoiling him, etc. but whatever it worked for me. Quite frankly, I was more than happy to snuggle for an hour with my baby.

Good luck!

[cpaige]

Yep. Did the orajel. Didn't work. I tried to get him to nap with me on the couch, but all he did was put his head down for a few seconds, and then scream all over again. I know he isn't hungry, so that's not it. As soon as I make eye contact w/ him, he starts all over again. Thanks for the help!

[moxi]

Take him to the DR. to eliminate the possibilities of physical ailments(ear infection, sinus infection, etc). When mine is fussy for unknown reasons, I will give her tylenol, wait about an hour and see if it made any difference(almost always helps, so I know the fussiness is teething, or ears, etc.). I have 4 kids and when they have acted this way I start brainstorming ideas to "reset" their behavior. The first thing, if you have family or friends that can watch him for a little while, so you can get a breather, use them. Even if it is just an hour. You need your sanity and patience first.
So, if he is fusing, change his surroundings to "reset" him. Put him in the stroller and go for a walk or give him a fun bath(no washing, just splashing and playing with your measuring spoons or cups, something different) or go for a ride in the car, or go to the childrens library so he can crawl around in a different place or swing him. If any of your friends have kids(any age, they are so animated babies love watching kids) get together with them, your baby will have something different to look at and your friend will offer support to you. Something different and fun for him(I know you are dog tired, but "resetting" him will help you in the end too). Just remember, it is temporary, a stage the will pass. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[taylordvd]

Yep, I think it could be an ear infection. Does he act normal when he is upright? Has he had a runny nose recently? My son had an ear infection at 3.5 months old. Every time you would lay him down it was this ear piercing scream. My husband and I took shifts that night because he would NOT sleep laying down. Took him to the doctor the next day - ear infection. 24 hours later everything was back to normal.

[blossomed]

PP have good ideas. I would add activity and increase food (when they go thru growth spurts hunger may be an issue) and see if it helps. I was at the pedia and someone said her son (about a year) does not nap, but sleeps well at night so she just took the good with the bad.

Agreed - get a break.

[cpaige]

He is sleeping through the night, with no problems. So I don't think it's that!

As for any friends in the area? NOPE. I'm over an hour away from everyone and only have my neighbor next door who has her hands full with 4 kids. I'm isolated. Can't take him out in the car b/c my AC doesn't work and it's WAY to hot to have him in the car for too long today. I put him down for a nap (AGAIN), he was asleep until I shut his door, ever so silently. And proceeded to freak out. He is still in there, but quiet now...awake, but quiet.

I might do the bath thing though. I'm completely out of ideas right now, and my patience level is pretty low at this point. And now of course, my neighbor is getting a fence put in on my son's side of the house, so I do not see this working well today at all.........*rolls eyes*

[cpaige]

Originally Posted by blossomed PP have good ideas. I would add activity and increase food (when they go thru growth spurts hunger may be an issue) and see if it helps. I was at the pedia and someone said her son (about a year) does not nap, but sleeps well at night so she just took the good with the bad. Agreed - get a break.

He had a MONSTER breakfast, since I had actually made to much and didn't think he'd finish it, but he did. So I don't think he's hungry. But I am and would like to eat breakfast! LOL

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I've been home alone with an upset baby, so I can sympathize.

Please take a time-out for yourself if you need it. When your patience is running low, you can let the baby stay in his crib to shut yourself in the bathroom for a minute, splash some cold water on your face, and take a deep breath.

Of course, being able to vent about it to us who have been there and understand can be a big help too!

[moxi]

I can tell by the pp, we can all empathize with you! Since it is so hot there, take a big pasta pot fill it with water(supervised, of course) and give him some toys or measuring cups and let him splash around(provided you have a safe shaddy spot). Why don't you and the neighbor mom get together, let all the kids play(believe me your baby will be very entertained with 4 other kids)talk, have some ice tea and stick your feet in the baby pool together. Sorry you are so isolated there. Maybe go to town early (before the aweful heat) and go to the library, let him play around. It may set a positive mood for the rest of the day(it will get you out too).